Khuda Kay Liye - in the Name of God
FILM REVIEW | BY AMIR HAMZA BANGASH* Khuda Kay Liye - In the Name of God
By Amir Hamza Bangash
This film proves that most of the times things in Islamic Republic of Pakistan, will start with the name of Islam, but will end somewhere beyond it.
In the Name of God wishful version of Islam and complete Original Title: Khuda Kay Liye observance of silence from the Director: Shoaib Mansoor government’s camp to counter back Cast: Fawad Afzal Khan, Iman Ali and despite knowing the gravity of Austin Marie Sayre prevailing situation. In a country, where Language: Urdu no hygienic and unhygienic campaign can stay successful, unless approved and The Pakistani Urdu Language Drama Film backed by the clerics, which raises from “Khuda Kay Liye (In the Name of God)”, the Polio Vaccination to the existing literal translation “For God’s Sake”, is terrorism in the name of Islam. This film the story of misinterpretation of Islam proves that most of the times things in and its backlash on the lives of people. Islamic Republic of Pakistan, will start The basic theme of this emotional 170 with the name of Islam, but will end minutes long film revolves around the somewhere beyond it. line that how much symbols of Islam are given preference over its essence. The It has successfully been placed as the movie encompasses the world’s politics Best Film in Roberto Rossellini Award and the use/misuse of religious card on and Fukuoka Audience Award. It is the global and regional level to serve written, produced and directed by well- one’s own organized and latent interest. known Pakistani name ‘Shoaib Mansoor’. Besides accentuating the socio-cultural The music of the film is catered by the problems existing in the society, this film Javed Bashir, Shuja Haider, Ahmed also reveals the symbolic power of Jahanzeb, Khawar Jawad and Lagan influential magician clerics sitting in the Band, which colors the hot issue in sugar mosques by promoting the extreme coated way. The script, plot and footage
Political Reflection Magazine | Issue 11 | 133 FILM REVIEW | BY AMIR HAMZA BANGASH
makes the film catchy and worth gets late shocks of resurrection as true watching. Indeed it’s the blend of Muslim and starts seriously thinking Oriental narratives and Western about the future of her daughter Mary Paradigm. (Iman Ali) to have Muslim kin, but she is already in relation with the British boy The film kicks off with two brothers named ‘Dave’. Her father Hussain Mansoor (Shan) and Sarmad (Fawad Afzal deceives her and takes her to the Khan), who are emerging young singers Waziristan (hub of local and foreign in Lahore. Sarmad gets in touch with one militants), a well-known tribal area in of the radical religious clerics and gets Pakistan and gets her forcefully married galvanize with his wishful interpretation to his radical turned nephew Sarmad, of Islam. He ceases all the musical who is also backed by the radical cleric activities, grows his beard and even for the noble cause. starts dictating his mother to observe veil. Meanwhile, Mansoor also leaves for music school in Chicago and there he His younger paternal Uncle Hussain, who falls in love with Janie and ultimately gets lives in England with his British girl marry, who quits smoking, alcohol etc friend to whom even he is not married, everything for him. After 9/11, he becomes the victim of the FBI and racism for having Islamic background. Mary drops a letter for help in guise of writing for her father. She is finally taken back from the Waziristan by Sarmad’s parents but Mary brings her father and Sarmad to the court of the justice, where interesting arguments about the different version of Islam takes place.
This film has also put forward certain existing stereotypes prevailing among the male segment of the society of Pakistan, which ranges from their powerful status to go for any extreme to take a decision and impose it on the female. Film depicts the picture of the fragmented and confused society and families, who are totally unaware of their blessed acts, journey of life and destination.
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* Amir Hamza Bangash is a Doctoral Researcher at the Department of Journalism Studies, University of Sheffield.
134 | Issue 11 | Political Reflection Magazine